From: <a href="http://www.aftenposten.no/spesial/wikileaksdokumenter/article3960376.ece">Aftenposten</a><br>
Date: 11.06.2006: 

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LAVROV AND STOERE TALK BUSINESS, IGNORE TOUGH ISSUES

1. (C)
In two days of meetings, Norwegian FM Jonas Gahr Stoere and
Russian FM Sergei Lavrov discussed an increased Russian
presence on Svalbard, fishing enforcement, eased visa rules
for the border area, and environmental questions. Meeting on
June 9-10, first in Kirkenes on the Norwegian side of the
border and then in Murmansk, the two foreign ministers
stressed the good relations enjoyed by both nations, focused
on economic cooperation and avoided conflict over the most
difficult issues, agreeing to disagree on the Svalbard
fisheries zone, ignoring increases in Russian military
activities, and limiting discussion of environment, oil and
gas cooperation and the maritime border to generalities.
According to Norwegian MFA officials, FM Stoere began the
meetings by saying that they should focus on regional Barents
issues, and the discussion that followed did just that.

---------- Economic Focus ---------- 

2. (SBU)
FM Stoere and FM Lavrov both stressed the good relations
between their countries and the potential for increased
economic cooperation. Shtokman was a subject of much general
discussion, but no specifics resulted. Lavrov characterized
Norwegian-Russian cooperation on Shtockman as "strengthening
of world, primarily European, energy security." The foreign
ministers opened a joint StatoilHydro/Russian oil protection
laboratory, designed to improve the joint ability to respond
to oil spills. Fishing was another topic of discussion with
Stoere praising Russia for improvements in fighting illegal
over fishing. Lavrov criticized Norwegian detentions of
Russian trawlers, particularly around Svalbard.

------- Svalbard ------------- 

3. (C)
The MFA stated that Lavrov raises the issue of increased
Russian presence on Svalbard, every time he and Stoere meet,
and he did so again at these meetings. He did not mention any
specifics, such as the Russian proposal for an airfield at
Barentsburg, something the Norwegians oppose. Stoere welcomed
the presence of Russians but also was clear to stress the
Norwegian position that international law gives Norway full
sovereignty in Svalbards waters, including its "fisheries zone"
which is not recognized by other signatories to the 1920
Svalbard treaty.

------ Border Issues ----------- 

4. (C)
The main development of the talks was the agreement by FM
Lavrov to consider a visa free travel arrangement for
residents of the area living within 30 kilometers of the
border. MFA officials said that Lavrov was unusually
forthcoming and pragmatic on this issue and even stated that
the Russian 15 kilometer border regime will be adjusted on the
Norwegian border area to relax some of the new restrictions
imposed by the FSB. Six of the border cities near Norway will
be exempted from the border regime, thus easing the
bureaucratic hurdles for increased economic activity. The FMs
formally exchanged ratification documents for the agreement
reached last year on the Varangerfjord segment of the disputed
maritime border. Stoere remained publicly optimistic that an
agreement on the rest could be reached before the planned
start of production of Shtockman in 2013. Privately, MFA
officials simply stated that there is no timetable for
resolution of the border and no follow up meeting is
scheduled.

------- Environment -------------

5. (C)
Norway has had a long interest in environmental cleanup of the
Kola peninsula and the GON has donated millions of Norwegian
kroner to this effort, to dismantle Russian submarines, remove
radioactive lighthouse batteries, increase safety in nuclear
reactors in the area, and help Norilsk Nikel clean up its
factories. In the days leading up to the FMs meeting the
Norwegian environmental community was very critical of GON
efforts in getting results. Media reports claimed that the
donated money to Norilsk Nikel was not used for environment,
but went right into the pockets of the oligarchs controlling
the company. Stoere raised this issue with Lavrov who publicly
stated that "Russia, together with Norway, stands for the
highest ecological standards." Privately he told the
Norwegians that the specific issue with Norilsk Nikel is a
company responsibility.

-------- International Issues --------- 

6. (C)
International issues did not feature prominently in the two
foreign ministers discussions but were discussed during a
dinner in Murmansk. Issues covered included the Caucasus, NATO
enlargement and Ukraine. The MFA promised a more detailed
report once they receive the summary from the Norwegian
Ambassador in Moscow.

------- Media Reaction ------- 

7. (SBU)
Media reaction to the meetings has been very quiet. In a
commentary before the meeting, one leading essayist stated
that although it is an honor for Lavrov to devote two days of
his busy schedule to meet with Stoere it is not clear what the
GON has achieved with its focus on the Barents region. The
essayist claimed that Lavrov is willing to meet Stoere in
order to use this moment, when Norway has less tight contact
with the U.S. than previously and remains outside the EU, to
press for Russian interests in Svalbard and on the maritime
border. Other critical coverage included the issue of the GONs
ineffective environmental policies in the Kola region and some
criticism in Northern Norwegian newspapers over the lack of
results from the GONs focus on the High North, pointing out
that North Norway has seen little result from much rhetorical
focus on the region. One specific complaint mentioned was that
80 percent of Norwegian research on Barents issues takes place
in southern Norway.

WHITNEY
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